Role of Characteristic Components of Humulus lupulus in Promoting Human Health.

Over the next 50 years, the prevention and control of chronic diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and many cancers, will be one of the most critical challenges in human health. Plant biochemistry and phytonutrient supplements are a promising complementary therapy for the management of chronic disease. Among them, Humulus lupulus has attracted special attention throughout the world because it contains numerous dietary phytochemicals that not only contribute to the aroma and flavor of beer but may also be used for medicinal purposes, as its properties include antiseptic, (an)aphrodisiac, anticancer, antiplatelet, antibacterial, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, hypnotic, and stomachic properties. This review sought to identify and understand the risk factors for chronic disease with a focus on two types of phytochemicals, bitter acids and xanthohumol. The goal was to understand how their metabolites promote human health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Two pear glutathione S-transferases genes are regulated during fruit development and involved in response to salicylic acid, auxin, and glucose signaling.

Two genes encoding putative glutathione S-transferase proteins were isolated from pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) and designated PpGST1 and PpGST2. The deduced PpGST1 and PpGST2 proteins contain conserved Glutathione S-transferase N-terminal domain (GST_N) and Glutathione S-transferase, C-terminal domain (GST_C). Using PCR amplification technique, the genomic clones corresponding to PpGST1 and PpGST2 were isolated and shown to contain two introns and a singal intron respectively with typical GT/AG boundaries defining the splice junctions. Phylogenetic analysis clearly demonstrated that PpGST1 belonged to Phi class of GST superfamilies and had high homology with apple MdGST, while PpGST2 was classified into the Tau class of GST superfamilies. The expression of PpGST1 and PpGST2 genes was developmentally regulated in fruit. Further study demonstrated that PpGST1 and PpGST2 expression was remarkably induced by glucose, salicylic acid (SA) and indole-3-aceticacid (IAA) treatments in pear fruit, and in diseased fruit. These data suggested that PpGST1 and PpGST2 might be involved in response to sugar, SA, and IAA signaling during fruit development of pear.